Editorial - McCrory's austerity budget could have consequences for the state’s future

Published: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 7:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 7:12 p.m.

It’s clear that the political philosophy is different in Raleigh these days. What’s not clear is that this shift toward “smaller government” will benefit North Carolina or its residents.

While Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget contains some necessary reorganization and frees up a little more money for education and health care, some of the cuts may come back to haunt the state. It is regrettable that the governor and his budget director, conservative political financier Art Pope, propose cutting $10 million from the N.C. Biotechnology Center.

The center – which consists of six separate regional hubs – was established by the state to promote what could be one of the most dynamic industries of the 21st century. Biotechnology has many potential applications, and the centers around the state are exploring those and helping entrepreneurs start businesses in this growing industry.

North Carolina already is home to cutting-edge pharmaceutical and technological research; biotech is a natural outgrowth of these industries. According to the biotech center’s website, the state ranks third in biotechnology-related employment, with about 237,000 jobs and a $59 billion economic footprint. New vaccines, environmental breakthroughs and crop development are among the discoveries that state money has helped finance.

The center’s administrators contend that taking away that money could hurt efforts to increase research and help new entrepreneurs establish businesses that will create jobs – good-paying jobs, for the most part.

McCrory has made jobs a top priority and should consider the impact of cuts to state-created entities that help further that goal.

The proposed funding cuts for museums and parks, on the other hand, should not come as a surprise. Republicans campaigned on the notion that government is too big, and spends too much for too many things outside what they consider “core” functions. That may be, but they also are overlooking the value of the Cape Fear Museum, the Wilmington Children’s Museum and others that will feel the budget knife.

They are overlooking public support for parks and for programs that have helped North Carolina reduce pollution in its rivers and streams. Slashing funds from the Clean Water Management and the Parks and Recreation trust funds jeopardizes efforts to preserve land for public use and environmental benefit.

The state is recovering from a long recession, but revenues are improving. Cutting programs means increasing unemployment while our economy is still fragile. The jobless rate in Southeastern North Carolina inched up in January to 11.1 percent, and the state’s rose a tenth of a percentage point, from 9.4 percent to 9.5 percent.

Government employees, museum employees and the folks who benefit from the biotechnology centers are workers whose jobs happen to depend in part or whole on government funding. They won’t miraculously land in “private-sector” jobs, because there are still three unemployed workers for every job available in North Carolina. Longer unemployment lines mean more competition for available jobs.

Not all public spending is wasteful or frivolous, despite what some small-government advocates would have us believe. Much of it is an investment in the future – our state’s future. McCrory, who knows from experience the potential of our state, would be wise to remember the difference.

<p>It's clear that the political philosophy is different in Raleigh these days. What's not clear is that this shift toward “smaller government” will benefit North Carolina or its residents.</p><p>While Gov. Pat McCrory's budget contains some necessary reorganization and frees up a little more money for education and health care, some of the cuts may come back to haunt the state. It is regrettable that the governor and his budget director, conservative political financier Art Pope, propose cutting $10 million from the N.C. Biotechnology Center.</p><p>The center – which consists of six separate regional hubs – was established by the state to promote what could be one of the most dynamic industries of the 21st century. Biotechnology has many potential applications, and the centers around the state are exploring those and helping entrepreneurs start businesses in this growing industry.</p><p>North Carolina already is home to cutting-edge pharmaceutical and technological research; biotech is a natural outgrowth of these industries. According to the biotech center's website, the state ranks third in biotechnology-related employment, with about 237,000 jobs and a $59 billion economic footprint. New vaccines, environmental breakthroughs and crop development are among the discoveries that state money has helped finance.</p><p>The center's administrators contend that taking away that money could hurt efforts to increase research and help new entrepreneurs establish businesses that will create jobs – good-paying jobs, for the most part.</p><p>McCrory has made jobs a top priority and should consider the impact of cuts to state-created entities that help further that goal.</p><p>The proposed funding cuts for museums and parks, on the other hand, should not come as a surprise. Republicans campaigned on the notion that government is too big, and spends too much for too many things outside what they consider “core” functions. That may be, but they also are overlooking the value of the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/TOPIC9959"><b>Cape Fear Museum</b></a>, the Wilmington Children's Museum and others that will feel the budget knife.</p><p>They are overlooking public support for parks and for programs that have helped North Carolina reduce pollution in its rivers and streams. Slashing funds from the Clean Water Management and the Parks and Recreation trust funds jeopardizes efforts to preserve land for public use and environmental benefit.</p><p>The state is recovering from a long recession, but revenues are improving. Cutting programs means increasing unemployment while our economy is still fragile. The jobless rate in Southeastern North Carolina inched up in January to 11.1 percent, and the state's rose a tenth of a percentage point, from 9.4 percent to 9.5 percent.</p><p>Government employees, museum employees and the folks who benefit from the biotechnology centers are workers whose jobs happen to depend in part or whole on government funding. They won't miraculously land in “private-sector” jobs, because there are still three unemployed workers for every job available in North Carolina. Longer unemployment lines mean more competition for available jobs.</p><p>Not all public spending is wasteful or frivolous, despite what some small-government advocates would have us believe. Much of it is an investment in the future – our state's future. McCrory, who knows from experience the potential of our state, would be wise to remember the difference.</p>